jongrep wrote:Something should be done about the ugly rocks and the earth behind the bench.

Indeed, who wants to see ugly rocks and dirt on a hill alongside a nature path? While they're at it, they could do something about the sea: all that water and salt is terribly messy and corrosive.

199Dan wrote:May I just ask what your ideas are ?

I've got one! They could put up a 20-storey concrete wall behind the bench, on which somebody could paint a giant mural of Leonard! That would be so much nicer to look at than shabby old rocks and dirt.

jongrep wrote:Something should be done about the ugly rocks and the earth behind the bench.

Indeed, who wants to see ugly rocks and dirt on a hill alongside a nature path? While they're at it, they could do something about the sea: all that water and salt is terribly messy and corrosive.

199Dan wrote:May I just ask what your ideas are ?

I've got one! They could put up a 20-storey concrete wall behind the bench, on which somebody could paint a giant mural of Leonard! That would be so much nicer to look at than shabby old rocks and dirt.

Architects and landscape architects are better qualified than me to propose concrete measures. The way it is now, it is pretty ugly, and the earth may slide down in heavy rainfall. The earth and rocks behind the bench should be cleared to some extent, and there should be some vegetation to keep the earth in place.
JG

The real problem is the lack of shade. I have seen people sitting on the nearby ordinary wooden bench rather than on Leonard's simply because the former is shady. The bench is north facing, so a tree planted behind it would really help.

“If you do have love it's a kind of wound, and if you don't have it it's worse.” - Leonard, July 1988

This is to report that we have today donated 10,000 eur to the Social Supermarket and Social Pharmacy of Hydra. These charity projects are operated by the Municipality of Hydra. Our money will be used to buy food and medicines to local people who have urgent needs. There are many - often elderly people - who have no income at all, and no younger generations to support them.

In Montreal we talked with Cantor Gideon Zelermyer of Shaar Hashomayim, Leonard's family synagogue. He had discussed charity projects with Leonard only some months before his death. "Give your contribution to the hungry", Leonard had said. Our Bench Team decided to follow this guidance.

This money was collected in 2014 to celebrate Leonard's 80th birthday; more than 300 members and other Leonard's fans contributed the project. With their donations we built the bench on Hydra (it was inaugurated in June 2017).

With this 10,000 eur donation to social help we have used most of the amount we had in reserve. We left some 2,000 eur to pay the following costs:

o two trees will be planted in the Spring, one on both sides of the bench
o reserve for the maintenance of the bench (the wooden part has to be replaced at some point)
o we promised to make a photo book with names of all donators and photos from our Hydra happenings; it will be done before the next Meetup and the book will be deposited at the Museum of Hydra (+a copy to the Municipality as well).

In Montreal we talked with Cantor Gideon Zelermyer of Shaar Hashomayim, Leonard's family synagogue. He had discussed charity projects with Leonard only some months before his death. "Give your contribution to the hungry", Leonard had said. Our Bench Team decided to follow this guidance.

Thank you Jarkko and The Team, for all your hard work and this update,
I'm so pleased to have contributed in some small way to this

Be for real. Free yourself to find the real Self ~~ MeHappiness is like learning the violin, the more you practice it the more it comes to you ~~ MeWithout the heart, there can be no understanding between the hand and the mind ~~ Gore Vidal

How wonderful that the Cantor was able to convey Leonard's very wise & compassionate guidance to you, & how very wise of you & the team to decide to follow that guidance. This is a perfect use of the funds. Your efforts & your wisdom are greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017International Society of Friends of Leonard Cohen donated 10,000 eur for Social Pharmacy and Social Supermarket of Municipality of Hydra
By: George Koukoudaki, Mayor of Hydra

"10,000 Euro For the Social Supermarket and Social Pharmacy of the Hydra City from the International Society of Friends of Leonard Cohen

After communication and discussion I had with president Jarkko Arjatsalo, International Society of Friends of Leonard Cohen decided to make the donation and deposited the amount of 10,000 Eur in favor of Social Pharmacy and Social Supermarket of the Municipality of Hydra. We thank them. "

Hmm.. President: some kind of advancement in my old days

Thanks to Aad for the link!
The blog is updated daily. You have to make a search to find the Nov 29 entries.